Bling My Truck Joins AD4x4 on an ANIT Trip
22 November 2011
Bling My Truck joined the AD4x4 Club for one of their Dubai based ANIT trips. We're still not sure what ANIT stands for. It's almost certainly not "alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate" or "Automatic Network of Indirect Transmission" as Google suggests, so we have decided on the logical being "Absolute Newbee Initiation Trip".
We met at the Outlet Mall parking at 7.45am and trundled down the Al Ain road, with a small diversion to the Rugby Sevens stadium when the convoy accidentally split. We were soon back together again and took one of the exits into the lovely red dunes to the right of the road, after crossing the Dubai - Al Ain border.
The first car was stuck within meters of leaving firm ground, but this gave an opportunity for the group leader and marshals to begin with their safety, equipment and environment briefing. The marshals laid out their recommended "Newbee" kit, which one should take on all trips, which included all the basics, such as a tow rope, tire deflators, air compressor, jack, jack plate, shackles, etc. The basics of off-roading in the sand were explained and everyone had the opportunity to ask questions.
A quick deflation of the tires down to 12psi and a bit of wheel wiggling to get the first stuck car out, and we were on our way. The route began gently, through small dunes and humps, which seemed to enjoy bashing the underside and nose of the BMT Ford F150 (although that may have had something to do with my driving technique and being more used to the clearance and approach angle of the old Rangie).
The trip included a few cars which had never been off-road before, so initially there were a few chances for the marshals to show their recovery techniques, but these diminished as confidence and experience grew, and the group got to know their vehicles better.
The dunes slowly became larger, and more gently sloping, with some good opportunities to practice descending slip faces (the steep leeward side of the dune) and driving across the less steep windward side. There were a few hairy moments of side slipping and interesting angles, when drivers hadn't kept their speed up enough and fought against the inevitable drag of gravity, but important to remember is that these trips are intended to instruct and encourage, so the marshals do ask that participants do not undertake anything that they are not comfortable with.
We were back on the blacktop about 10 kilometers after leaving the highway, where we reinflated the tires and made our way home in time for lunch.
If you would like to become a member of the AD4x4 Club then visit their website at: www.ad4x4.com